UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra performs with Melissa Aldana at the Pori Jazz Festival on Saturday, July 15!

Grammy-nominated tenor saxophonist and composer Melissa Aldana (b. 1988) hailing from Chile and living in the United States, is a rising star in the sax world. She won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition as the first female and as the first South American instrumentalist in 2013. Her jazz quartet’s first album Visions was released with rave reviews in 2019, and the second album 12 Stars received an equally glorious reception in 2022.

Aldana is known for her smooth harmonies and compositions that respect post-bop traditions. She is considered one of the leading jazz voices of her generation, who has already established her name among the pro jazz musicians. She has collaborated e.g. with John Scofield, Joe Lovano, Roy Hargrove, Branford Marsalis and the SFJAZZ Collective. www.melissaaldana.net

The concert features Melissa Aldana’s compositions as Jim McNeely’s big band arrangements. Conductor is Ed Partyka.

Photo: Eduardo Pavez Goye